<p>Throughout H.S, I have been a high B/Low A student with a GPA of 3.3, but negatively affected by several personal circumstances. I've taken several honors/AP classes in high school and got a 1660 on my SAT with 560 in math and writing and a 540 in reading. I know I should get accepted to at least one of the schools I'm applying to (UCF, USF, URI, U Tampa, Marquette, Coastal Carolina, Michigan State, and Rutgers) but I'm starting to doubt the fact that I'll even get into these schools at all.</p>
<p>actually, this is funny. i had a conversation about this today. a friend of mine - very smart - never applied herself in school. she only realized last year how silly she had been all along, after she took her SAT and received an 1830. now, each time she receives an acceptance- it has come with a hefty scholarship (even though her WEIGHTED gpa is a 3.0). last year, she thought she would have to go to county. She already got accepted to Rutgers - newark, and seton hall (with 60k!). long story short- her and I have agreed, along with a bunch of our friends who have graduated long ago, college is not THAT hard to get into. and it’s true. there are 4,000+ schools out there today. there’s room for everybody, and there’s room for everybody to have preferences on where they want to go. </p>
<p>now consider you, an “average” applicant, applying to schools that have been dedicated to the average! of course we all have our reaches (rutgers might be for you), but you’re not applying to the ivies. you have just an equal shot as all the others. there’s no need to get insecure! </p>
<p>best of luck!</p>
<p>I sometimes think it’s the best approach!
If you don’t expect to be accepted, you won’t be as disappointed if you somehow get denied admission.</p>
<p>On the other hand, you still must be confident that you’re giving it your all. Don’t think, “Awww, man, I have no chance, so I might as well slack off and write a half-assed essay.”
Think, “Hey, it may be a reach, and I may not be a shoo-in, but I’m going to do everything in my power to increase the chances of me getting admitted.”</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>If you look at section C of the Common Data Set for each school, you will see tables that show exactly how you match up against that year’s incoming class, though some schools don’t include the breakdown on GPAs. It will also show how heavily weighted each factor is in the admissions process.</p>
<p>As long as you have a safety you are assured of being accepted into, can afford, and are willing to attend, the rest is gravy.</p>